Machine for applying folders to cans



Mrch 26, 1940. H. w. KAGLEY MACHINE FOR APBLYING FOLDERS T0 CANS FiledDec. e, 195e- 4 snags-Sheet 1 hm l 93 l l l Qo ooe.

.March 26, 1940 H. w. KAGLEY MACHINE FOR APPLYING FOLDERS `T0 CANS FiledDec. 6, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 o ,au o M 5 .L w O- o I .Il 3

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Mardi 26, 1940' H. w. KAGLEY MACHINE FOR APPLYING FOLDERS T0 CANS FiledDec. s; 195s 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 fleece/e1 I4. KAGLE);

March ze, 1940. H.'W.'KAG1 EY 2,195,111

MACHINE FOR APPLYING FOLDERS T0 CANS Patented Mar. 26, 1940 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE Herbert W. Kagley, Lindsay, Calif., assigner toLindsay Ripe Olive Company, Lindsay, Calif.,

a corporation Application December 6, 1938, Serial No. 244,233

1o claimsj (ci. 21e-55) This invention relates to the canning art andhas particular utility inthe application of folders to cans, a practicewhich is coming into fairly wide use in the canning art. These foldersgenerally contain instructions or suggestions as to how the contents ofthe can may be most profitably used.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved machine forapplying folders to cans.

l0 While machines have previously been provided for this general purposethey have been diflicult to operate because when a folder failed tofeed, the feeding of folders was interrupted until attention was givento the machine and no folders were applied to the cans passing throughthe machine during said interruption.

It is another object of my invention to provide a machine for applyingfolders to cans in which the feeding of folders will not be interruptedby the failure of a single folder to feed and in` which the normalfeeding will be resumed as soon as the cause of said failure iscorrected.

In the machines formerly provided for applyg5 ing folders to cans, abreak in continuity of the stream of cans being fed through said machineresulted in the folder intended for that can being dropped into themachinery and damaged so as to be unt for use.

It is yet another object of my invention to provide a machine forapplying folders to cans which is adapted to receive and apply foldersto an intermittent stream of cans without loss of said folders.

The manner of accomplishing the foregoing objects as well as furtherobjects and advantages will be made 'manifest in the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary side elevational view of a preferred embodimentof my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevational View of the folder feeding andapplying mechanism, there being portions of the folder applicator rotorbroken away to illustrate the means for utilizing suction in theoperation of the applicator.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the applicator rotor of the machine with thefolder magazine removed and may be considered as a sectional view takenon the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 andillustrates the means for utilizing suction in the operation of theapplicator rotor.

v Referring specifically to the drawings, I shall designate the folderapplying machineillustrated therein by the reference numeral I0. Thismachine includes a frame I I having a pair of chanv nel beams I2 uponwhich rest a can track I3 having a chain groove I4 in which an endless 5conveyor chain I5 of aconveyor I 6 travels. The chain I5 is trainedabout sprockets I1, only one of which is shown, this sprocket beingmounted on a shaft I8 by which the conveyor I6 is continuously driven.Certain links I9 of the chain 10 I5, which links are uniformly spaced,have can pushers 20 provided thereon which extend upwardly when theselinks are disposed in the chain groove I4. Extending laterally from thetrack I3 are ears 22 uponwhich angle iron can guards 15 23 and 24 areadjustably secured by cap screws 25. Thus the guards 23 and 24 may beset closer together or farther apart to accommodate cans differing indiameter.

Provided on the can guide 24 is a vertical bear- 20 ing 26, the purposeof which will be made clear hereinafter.' This guide also has -arelatively long narrow slot 21, explanation of which also will bedeferred.

Rigidly mounted at their lower ends on the 25 frame I I so as to extendvertically upward at the rear of the conveyor I6 is a pair of heavyscrews 29. The screws 29 have nuts 30 which support an elevated frame 35which can be raised or lowered by rotating the nuts 30. V The elevated30 frame 35 has bearings 36 and 31 in which shafts 38 and 39 arejournalled.v At the rear of the elevated frame 35,. these shafts havesprockets 4U about which is trained an endless chain 4l. Fixed on theshaft 39 is a rubber gluing wheel 45 hav- 35 ing four circumferentiallyspacedlfaces 46 which,v as the shaft 39 rotates, are broughtsuccessively into tangential contact with a roller 41. This roller ismounted on the frame 35 on a horizontal axis parallel Withthe shaft 39so as to extend 40 are adapted to guide a supply of folders 55 when thelatter is placed between the rails 54 so as to 50 rest on the bottom.vplate 52. Provided on the lower end of the bottom plate 52 is a brush 60for preventing more thanione folder being removed from the magazine atone time.

Secured to the supporting arm 49 by screws 6I 55 edge thereofand,`forwardly from said notch, a bearing 14 in which is `journalled ashaft- 15.

which is held in place by collars 16 and 11. Ex-

tending inwardly into the notch 13 past the col- .Iar 11 is a pin 18formed eccentrically on the Ainner end of the shaft 15. 'I'his pin has aroller 19 rotatably mounted thereon. 'I'his roller is of such diameteras -to rest constantly on the upper surface of the spring plate 62.

Fixed uplon the outer end of the shaft 15 is an arm 85 having a blade86. .Secured to the upper face of the vertical body 12 is a bracket 81on which is formed a vertical bearing 88. The bracket 81 is positionedvin its relation to the body 12 so that the .bearing 88 is in verticalalignment with the bearing 26 on the can guide 24,

Journalled in the bearings 26 and 88 ,is a vertical shaft 90 on whichare fixed a can responsive arm 9| and 2:11 upper arm 92. The arm 9| isheld inwardly by a spring 93 yso that this arm ex- Yplate to springupwardly into the position in which it is shown -in Fig. 2. With thisupward movement the spring plate 62 lifts the supply 55 of foldersupwardly in the folder magazine with a result which will be made clearhereinafter.

Secured to the frame 35 is a stationary vacuum disc 98, having a centralbore through which the shaft 38 extends. In its face 99 is a vacuum slothaving a restriction IOI. Communicating with the upper, unrestrictedportion of the/ slot is a pipe |02 which leads to a vacuum pump (notshown). By reason of the restriction .IOI, the vacuum produced below therestriction is considerably less than it is above the restriction.Slightly beyond the lower end of slot |00 is a hole extendingthrough'the vacuum disc to provide an air vent the function of which islater described. A

Fixed as by a pin ||0 on the forward end of the shaft 38 is a folderapplicator rotor or vacurum wheel III the face IIIa of which is groundl-which are vacant.

shafts 38 and 39 which includes a sprocket |20v on the rear end oftheshaft 38 and a chain |2I. 'This chain is trained about this sprocketand about idler sprockets |22 and |23 to bring it into reverseengagement with a sprocket (not shown) on he rear end of shaft 28 so asto produce a timely rotation of the wheel 45 and rotor III. relative tothe travel of\the conveyor I6.

Operation Before beginning operations with the machine I 0, the magazine5| is furnished wltha supply of folders 55 and the glue pot 48 isfurnished with a supply of glue. The vacuum pump (not shown)` which isconnected to\ the pipe |02 is now actuated so as to draw a constantvacuum orf the slot |00. The conveyor I6 is now set in motion and cans Care fed onto this conveyor so that insofar as possible there is a canpropelled along in front of each of the pushers when the latter aredisposed over the can and track I3. As .these cans proceed along theconveyor I6, the rotating wheel 45A brings the faces 46 thereof intocontact with the periphery of the glue wheel l1 which applies glue tothe faces I6. In this manner glue is transferred to the top of each ofthe cans C as this can comes underneath the wheel 4s.

As these cans progress, each one in turn comes in contact with the arm9| so as to continually maintain this positioned substantially asindicated by the dotted lines |30 in Fig. 3. The swingin g outward ofthe arm 9| rocks the shaft 15 so as to shift the roller 19 and depressthe spring' of the next advancing face II3v on the rotor III.

With the rotation of the rotor that face I I3 thus l comes into face toface contact with the lowermost folder 55. The sucking of air inwardly'through the suction mouth II 4 in that face produces a semi-vacuumwhich takes hold of that folder and carries it with the rotor therebyremoving it from the magazine. The rotation of the rotor being in timelyrelation with the conveyor I6, each boss as it swings downwardly extendsright into the chine of -a can as the latter travels along the conveyortherebeneath. When a boss carries a folder as above described, thelatter is pushed into the chine of the can against the spot of glueformerly applied by the glue Wheel 45. 'I'hus a folder is glued to theupper end of each can passing along the conveyor, I6.

As long as the machine I0 continues to be fed with an unbroken stream ofcans C, and so long as an orderly supplyof folders 55 is maintained invthe magazine 5|, the operation of the machine goes on as abovedescribed. In the event of a break in the continuity of the stream oflcans on the conveyor I6, by the omission of one or more cans from thestream, the arm 9| is not held out when the can spaces on the conveyorcome along The spring 93 thereupon shifts arm 9| inward, rotates shaft90 which rocks shaft 15 to lift roller 19 and release spring plate 62.'Ihe latter now rises as shown in Fig. 2 thereby lifting the supply offolders 55 to where the lowermost folder in the magazine lies beyond thereach of the advancing bosses II2. This prevents each boss, which istimed to have delivered a folder to a can in one of the vacant spaces onthe conveyor, from taking a folder from the magazine. Thus folders arenot dropped into the machinery and wasted when breaks occur in thecontinuity of the stream of cans on the conveyor I6.

As soon as the next can comes along on the conveyor I6, however, itshifts the lever 9| outward again and depresses the spring magazine endplate 62 to lower the supply of folders into feeding position. VThe nextadvancing boss |I2 accordingly picks up a folder from the bottom of thestack and applies it to thenext canfollowing the break. From here on thefeeding of folders continues until one or more vacant spaces again occurin the stream of cans C whereupon the feeding of folders will becorrespondingly interrupted but only to omit feeding folders to saidvacant spaces.

The vacuum created in the upper unrestricted portion of the slot |00exerts a strong suction in taking hold of a folder. As the rotorrevolves, less vacuum is needed to retain the folder on the boss ||2,and the vacuum transmitted through the duct ||5 after it passes therestriction |0| is adequate. When the duct I |5 passes the air vent |05the vacuum is wholly destroyed at the suction mouth ||4 at thatparticular position and the folder more readily deposited on the can.

As -the slot |00 is long enough to communicate with two of the ducts I|5 at one time, the absence of a folder from one of the mouths Ill wouldinterfere with the vacuum and hinder its function, if no provision weremade to maintain the vacuum notwithstanding. Under such a contingencythe machine would have to be stopped, and the uncovered vacuum mouths betemporarily closed. My invention overcomes this difficulty by use of therestriction IDI. The passage in this restriction is small enough so thateven if the mouth of the duct I5 which is passing along the slot belowthe restriction is uncovered as by reason of the folder supply havingbeen interrupted due to the absence of a can, or for other failure, thevacuum in the upper portion of the slot is not materially impaired andwill continue to function.

This latter feature is of advantage not only in resuming the feeding offolders after a break in the stream of cans on the conveyor I6, but in aresumption of the folder feeding no matter what the cause had been. forits interruption. Sometimes, for instance, the folders might be stucktogether and thus the bottom folder would not feed out when engaged bythe rotor. Where any such thing occurs in my invention, the supply offolders merely needs to be straightenedout in the magazine andthefee'ding will automatically be resumed without any halt in theoperation being necessary. If any cans should go throughV withoutgetting folders during such an interruption in the feeding of folders,these cans can readily be supplied with 'folders by hand, as the topsurface of each can has already been spotted With glue.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine for applying folders to cans, the combination ofconveyor means for conveying a series of cans along a given path;magazine means for containing a multiplicity of folders; rotary suctionmeans for removing folders one by one from said magazine and applyingsaid folders to said cans, said rotary means having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced suction mouths each of which is adapted toremove a folder from said magazine when it is disposed adjacent theretoand apply said folder to one of said cans; means for sucking airinwar\dly through each of said suction mouths as the latter comesopposite said magazine and maintaining said suction until the folderremoved by said last mentioned mouth from said magazine has been appliedto a can; and means for restricting communication between said suctionmeans and each of said suction mouths when the latter is be Ween folderreceiving and folder applying positi ns and as the next followingsuction mouth approaches folder receiving position. y

2. In a machine for applying folders to cans, the combination of aconveyor for feeding a series of cans along a given path; a magazinevfor holding a multiplicity of folders; a rotor having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced suction mouths thereon, each of said mouthsbeing adapted to receive a folder from said magazine and apply it to acan; suction means including a slot, there being ducts in said rotorconnecting each of said mouths with said slot when said mouth is broughtinto operative relation with said magazine, said slot providing asubstantially restricted communication between 'said suction means andeach of said ducts when the mouth served by said duct is moving betweenfolder receiving and folder applying positions; and means forcoordinately rotating said rotor and operating said conveyor.

3. In a machine for applying folders to cans comprising can conveyingmeans and a magazine for retaining folders in position to be fed, aVacuum wheel having circumferentially spaced suction mouths rotatablypassing in proximity to the folder magazine and adapted to successivelywithdraw folders therefrom and deliver same to a. position forapplication to cans, a continuous suction means having an arcuatepassage with an intermediate restriction therein, and ducts inthe vacuumwheel communicating with the suction mouths and with the arcuate passageby which a strong suction and subsequently a weaker suction is createdat the suction mouths during rotation of the wheel.

4. In a machine for applying folders to cans comprising can conveyingmeans and a magazine for retaining folders in position to be fed, a

vacuum Wheel having circumferentially spaced suction mouths rotatablypassing in proximity to the folder magazine and adapted to successivelywithdraw folders therefrom and deliver same to a position forapplication to cans, a vacuum and control means cooperating with thesuction wheel to create a strong suction at the Vacuum mouth inproximity to the folders, a weaker suction beginning at a point ofrotation intermediate between folder receiving and folder applyingposi-2 tions, an air exhaust at folder applying position, and no suctionbetween the latter position and the point of starting.

5. In a machine for applying folders to cans comprising can conveyingmeans, a magazine for retaining folders in position to be fed,'and meansshifting the folders out of such position in the event a can is notpresent to receive the folder, a vacuum wheel having circumferentiallyspaced suction mouths rotatably passing in prox'- irnity to the foldermagazine and adapted to successively withdraw folders therefrom anddeliver same to a position for application to cans, the vacuum beingpartially maintained by the folders covering the suction mouths, andmeans partially sustaining the vacuum sufficiently for succeedingoperative purposes inthe event no folder is fed to a suction mouth.

6. In a machine for applying folders to cans comprising can conveyingmeans, a magazine for retaining folders in position to be fed. and meansshifting the folders out of such position inv the. 5 event a can is notpresent to receive the folder,

a vacuum wheel having circumferentially spaced suction mouths rotatablypassing in `proximity to the folder magazine and adapted to successivelywithdraw folders therefrom and deliver lo sal/ne to a position forapplication to cans, the vacuum being 'partially maintained by thefolders covering the suction mouths, and being temporarily impaired ifno folder is fed to a suction mouth, means vpartially restoring thevacuum in .15 such latter event pricnto the next succeeding s vacuummouthv vreaching the folder receiving position.

7. In a machine for applying folders to cans comprising can conveyingmeans, a magazine .l n for retaining folders in position to be fed; and

provided with an arcuate slot located in the pathA of said openings, anda continuous vacuum means communicating with said slot. 8. In a machinefor applying folders to cans comprising canconveying means, -and amagazine for retaining folders in position to be fed, a vacuum wheelhaving circumferentially` spaced suction mouths rotatably passing inproximity to the folder magazine and adapted to successively withdrawfolders therefrom and deliver same to a position for application tocans, the vacuum "flu -with circumferentially spaced suction mouthswheel having a ilatend face and ducts leading from the suction mouthsand opening into the said'face, a stationary vacuum disc having asurface hermetically engaging'the said wheel face and provided with anarcuate slot located in the f5 path of said openings, a continuoussuction means withdrawing air from one end of said slot, and arestriction in the slot between the ends thereof reducing thecommunication of suction from one side of the restriction to the other.10

9. In a machine for applying folders to cans comprising a can conveyor,a folder magazine having a bifurcated end plate supporting the lowermostof a stack .of folders, a vacuum wheel rotatablypassing in proximityv tothe lowermost folder between the bifurcations of said end plate toWithdraw the said folder from the magazine,

lspring means tending to urge the magazine end plate away froml thesuctionA mouths to render them inoperative to withdraw folders, and avmechanism actuated by the presence of a can in position to receive afolder opposing the spring means to render same ineffective.'

10. In a machine for applying folders to cans i" comprising a canconveyor, `a folder 'magazine having a bifurcated end plate supportingthe lowermost of a stack of folders, a vacuum wheel ,f withcircumferentially spaced suction mouths rotatably passing in proximityto the lowermost I0 -folder between the bifurcations of said end plateto Withdraw the said folder from the magazine, spring means tending tourge the magazine end plate away from the suction mouths torender theminoperative to withdraw folders, and a n mechanism actuated by thepresence of a can in position to receive a folder opposing the springmeans to render same ineffective, the control comprising a camengagingthe springyancl can engaging ymeans operating the cam. I ,4p

HERBERT wp KAGLEY.v

